EDUCATION

Francis X. Crowley

Partner

Philadelphia, PA

v. +1.215.569.5627

f. +1.215.832.5627

CHAIR, CONSUMER FINANCE LITIGATION PRACTICE GROUP

As a member and co-chair of the Consumer Financial Services litigation team, Mr. Crowley regularly represents lenders and financial institutions in a variety of consumer finance litigation matters in federal and state court, including disputes under TILA, RESPA and FDCPA, title and lien priority disputes, state law UDAAP claims, eminent domain cases and a wide variety of common law claims. He is experienced with motions practice, oral argument, the discovery process, trial practice and post-trial work.

Mr. Crowley also handles complex litigation matters in a wide variety of fields in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies. He regularly represents clients in litigation and disputes in various real estate fields, including acquisition, development, sales, leasing, and title insurance. Mr. Crowley has represented clients in many industries, as well as public agencies and municipal bodies, in disputes and other matters related to:

National title insurance companies in coverage disputes and against agents in major defalcation cases.

A commercial partnership in a professional malpractice action against a prior law firm.

A public waste water authority in construction disputes, environmental matters and permit enforcement cases.

Major credit unions and a trade association in challenges by commercial bankers to community charter conversions.

Real estate developers in challenges by community activists and objecting competitors.

A public port authority in: (a) disputes with tenants over tenant’s obligations to indemnify and defend landlord for injuries on leased premises; (b) coverage disputes with insurers over coverage for injuries; and (c) premises liability cases where insurance is not applicable.

A major national theater chain in successfully defending litigation brought by an owner/developer seeking $60,000,000 in an alleged breach of a development agreement and 30-year lease.

A public housing authority in acquiring property through condemnation proceedings to construct new senior citizen housing.

Developers attempting to void restrictive covenants limiting or preventing the re-development of former golf courses into residential projects.

A condominium council in dispute with developer.

A partner in a series of disputes involving the dissolution of family-owned partnerships specializing in residential development and construction.

Minority partners in a real estate development partnership in claims against a general partner who gained unfair advantage in a sale of property for real estate development.

COMMUNITY SERVICE & AFFILIATIONS

Mr. Crowley is a recipient of the 1991 Human Rights Honors Award given by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (for efforts to reduce racial tension in a city neighborhood); the 2007 Hispanic Heritage Teacher Award (for services to disadvantaged youth); the Support Center for Child Advocates 2009 Distinguished Advocate Award (for representation of children in foster care); and the 2009 Edwin P. Rome Award (for pro bono services). Mr. Crowley also is on the boards of several charitable organizations.